A system and method for high-precision automated guidance of a drone via a local (on-site) computing device for delivery of items is disclosed. The drone navigates to a location in proximity to the recipient's home using standard navigation protocols. Once the UAV arrives at this local destination, communication between the UAV and an on-site computing device occurs. The on-site device serves as a micro air-traffic controller to the UAV's precise drop off target location. The on-site device can provide approach vectors, guidance around obstacles and navigation instructions to a final micro-destination.
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4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first local computing device is an IoT device mounted on an external surface of a building situated on the property.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first local computing device is a smart doorbell.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing, via the onboard computing system, the UAV to travel a second path back to the first position once the item is released, the second path being a reversal of the first path.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first navigation signal is a light-based signal that is aimed at the first micro-destination.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first navigation signal is an RF-based signal.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first navigation signal is one of a QR code and an RFID tag presented via of the first local computing device.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first micro-destination is outside of a line of sight of the first local computing device.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first micro-destination is in a line of sight of the first local computing device.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising detecting, at the first computing device, one or more external signals indicating the presence of the UAV near the first computing device before transmitting the handshake signal.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the first local computing device is an IoT device mounted on an external surface of a building situated on the property.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein the first navigation signal is one of an RF-based signal, a light-based signal, a QR code, and an RFID tag.
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October 28, 2021
December 24, 2024
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